Official hope to guarantee stable water supply for millions

California water officials have released the first part of a $23 billion plan to restore and protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem and guarantee a stable water supply for millions of Californians.

The plan's first four chapters - released Thursday by the California Resources Agency - spell out the dismal state of the delta and detail conservation strategies to restore its dwindling fish species.

The chapters include Gov. Jerry Brown's $14 billion twin-tunnel proposal unveiled in July. The 35-mile twin-tunnel project would carry water south to cities and farms. The costs would be covered by water contractors.

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan also calls for creation of more than 100,000 acres of new fish habitat in the delta at a cost of $3.2 billion.